Jen Psaki's Williamsburg tips

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — President Barack Obama arrived here Saturday afternoon for three days of debate prep, and he won’t have to look past his staff to learn about his surroundings.

The Obama campaign’s traveling press secretary, Jen Psaki, and communications director, Brent Colburn, are graduates of Williamsburg’s College of William & Mary, the second-oldest college in the nation.

The press hotel is within spitting distance of Busch Gardens, and both reporters and Obama staffers will be a quick drive to Colonial Williamsburg, where re-enactors take visitors back to a pre-revolutionary era of blacksmiths and saloons. Obama is staying at the posh Kingsmill Resort, just outside the city limits in James City County.

After getting panned in his first debate, Obama may want to ignore the local color and stick to his studies. But Psaki, a former campus tour guide, offered POLITICO 10 things to know about Williamsburg.

1) Williamsburg is the home of The College of William & Mary, which is the second oldest college in the United States. (Alumni claim Harvard only beat them on paper.)

2) William & Mary is famous for its firsts: the first U.S. institution with a Royal Charter, the first Greek-letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776), the first student honor code and the first law school in America.

3) Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, former Council of Economic Advisers Chair Christina Romer, actress Glenn Close and Jon Stewart all spent time in Williamsburg at William & Mary.

4) A favorite of students on campus is The Cheese Shop, where students order bread ends and house dressing.

5) The Green Leafe is one of the best bars in town. There are two locations, including one on Scotland St. right across from the William & Mary campus. They have more than 150 different kinds of bottled beer and 64 beers on draft.

6) While most may not think William & Mary is a sports powerhouse, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and former NFL defensive back Darren Sharper both played football for the Tribe.

7) The best place to watch a weekend football game or the baseball playoffs is Paul’s Deli on Scotland St. Go for the Hot Holly — a toasted sub with roast beef, turkey and cheddar.

8) For those interested in experiencing the colonial vibe, there are a number of options to choose from. At Christiana Campbell’s Tavern on South Waller St., raise a pint of Old Stitch ale. The nearby Chowning’s Tavern dates from 1766 and the King’s Arms Tavern is known for its traditional Southern meals.

9) Busch Gardens Williamburg is just a few miles down I-64. The theme park boasts attractions including the Alpengeist and Loch Ness Monster rides and the More Pet Shenanigans Show.

10) For those with a few hours to spare there is outlet shopping down Richmond Road at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. For those up for a longer trip, Richmond is only an hour north.